Meet Houston's Lynn Clouser Kelly, Owner of Once Upon a Praline, LLC
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I am so honored to introduce our Love. Work. Repeat. family to Mrs. Lynn Clouser Kelly. She is the proud owner of a fast growing and extremely tasty praline company, Once Upon a Praline, LLC. I can tell you first hand that her warm spirit, and giving heart can be found in each praline she creates. This wife, mother, and business owner shares her phenomenal journey to entrepreneurship, and how she turned a hobby into a thriving business. We hope you enjoy her story, and support her awesome business!
"No matter when or where, always bring your 'A' Game, because you never know when it will open doors for you." Simon Sinek |
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What is Once Upon a Praline, LLC?
Once Upon a Praline, LLC is a boutique praline company purveying pralines in 9 mouthwatering flavors offering personalized and custom packaging to suit any occasion. Once Upon a Praline offers pralines in the following flavors: Signature, Banana Pudding, CreamyDreamy Cheesecake, Chocolate Toffee. Almond Delight, CaraMellow, Key Lime Kiss, Red Velvet Crush, and Rum. Our Signature and Almond Delight selections are gluten free and we are currently developing a lactose-free version to add to our product line. Once Upon a Praline is very passionate about the special needs community, particularly individuals living with autism spectrum disorders. I am raising a son on the spectrum and he never ceases to amaze me. Once we open our location, we will provide jobs to individuals on the autism spectrum so that they will have career opportunities. Once Upon a Praline donates a portion of its proceeds on a yearly basis to The Westview School for Autism and other autism related charities. This is what we call "Pralines with a Purpose". |
How long have you been in business?
We have been in business for 2.5 years. |
What was your inspiration behind starting your company?
What many people don't know is that it was never my intention to start Once Upon a Praline®. I had recently become a Stay-at-Home Mom after 15 years of pharmaceutical sales and I grew tired of having pralines shipped to me from New Orleans or having people bring them back to me from their visit. I decided to take to the internet to find a recipe. Each recipe disappointed me so I decided to come up with my own. I would fail countless times until one day, I finally found the perfect blend of the southern sweetness I was looking for. As I made pralines, I realized that each batch yielded more candy than we could eat at one time so I began sharing pralines with friends celebrating birthdays and taking praline boxes to friends and family who lost loved ones. People would compliment me on my pralines, the packaging presentation and would suggest that I should consider selling my sweet treats. I would always thank them but laugh on the inside and say to myself "There is no way I would ever own a business selling candy."
One day, my husband told me "Someone is going to call and ask how much your pralines are so you'd better be ready." I laughed it off. The very next week, I received THE call my husband had warned me about. Twin sisters that I grew up with tasted my candy at a friend's house and wanted to know my prices so they could present my pralines to their staff during their annual Employee Appreciation Week. They loved them!
I prayed really hard about my direction and asked God to show me if this is what he really wanted me to do. He began showing me many signs that I could not ignore. I decided I was ready to give it a try. I didn't have a name for the company so surely this was a sign that this wasn't in the plan for me, right? One evening, as I was reading a bedtime story to my children, the first line read "Once Upon a Time." My company name immediately came to me and 'Once Upon a Praline' was born with the slogan "Every Bite Tells a Sweet Story." We have developed 8 more praline flavors since then, all inspired by the desserts my husband and I love. I wouldn't trade what I do for the world!
What many people don't know is that it was never my intention to start Once Upon a Praline®. I had recently become a Stay-at-Home Mom after 15 years of pharmaceutical sales and I grew tired of having pralines shipped to me from New Orleans or having people bring them back to me from their visit. I decided to take to the internet to find a recipe. Each recipe disappointed me so I decided to come up with my own. I would fail countless times until one day, I finally found the perfect blend of the southern sweetness I was looking for. As I made pralines, I realized that each batch yielded more candy than we could eat at one time so I began sharing pralines with friends celebrating birthdays and taking praline boxes to friends and family who lost loved ones. People would compliment me on my pralines, the packaging presentation and would suggest that I should consider selling my sweet treats. I would always thank them but laugh on the inside and say to myself "There is no way I would ever own a business selling candy."
One day, my husband told me "Someone is going to call and ask how much your pralines are so you'd better be ready." I laughed it off. The very next week, I received THE call my husband had warned me about. Twin sisters that I grew up with tasted my candy at a friend's house and wanted to know my prices so they could present my pralines to their staff during their annual Employee Appreciation Week. They loved them!
I prayed really hard about my direction and asked God to show me if this is what he really wanted me to do. He began showing me many signs that I could not ignore. I decided I was ready to give it a try. I didn't have a name for the company so surely this was a sign that this wasn't in the plan for me, right? One evening, as I was reading a bedtime story to my children, the first line read "Once Upon a Time." My company name immediately came to me and 'Once Upon a Praline' was born with the slogan "Every Bite Tells a Sweet Story." We have developed 8 more praline flavors since then, all inspired by the desserts my husband and I love. I wouldn't trade what I do for the world!
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And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.- Romans 8:28
Name one principle that you follow daily in business, and why.
The business principle I live by daily is to always deliver optimal customer service. My customers are my number one priority, period. I want our customers to walk away feeling as though they not only received an outstanding product, but they feel valued and will want to return over and over for the "Once Upon a Praline Experience."
What difficulties have you faced in business (if any) and how did you meet those challenges?
There are days I felt as though I wanted to quit. Though very few, I found that it is extremely important to surround yourself with unselfish, positive people that genuinely want you to succeed. I can recall one night very early on, I wanted to leave the business behind because none of my batches were coming out right. I think I ruined 20 batches that evening and would have my biggest event ever the next day as a vendor for the very first time. I felt as though I failed. I was literally crying in my kitchen saying "I want to quit! Why did I ever decide to do this?" My husband looked at me in my eyes and said "Quitting is not an option." He said "Remember the children with autism that need scholarships and that will need jobs in the future." That visual picture was enough to stop my tears flowing. Now, when I think about quitting, I remember my "why" and quitting hasn't been an option since then.
The business principle I live by daily is to always deliver optimal customer service. My customers are my number one priority, period. I want our customers to walk away feeling as though they not only received an outstanding product, but they feel valued and will want to return over and over for the "Once Upon a Praline Experience."
What difficulties have you faced in business (if any) and how did you meet those challenges?
There are days I felt as though I wanted to quit. Though very few, I found that it is extremely important to surround yourself with unselfish, positive people that genuinely want you to succeed. I can recall one night very early on, I wanted to leave the business behind because none of my batches were coming out right. I think I ruined 20 batches that evening and would have my biggest event ever the next day as a vendor for the very first time. I felt as though I failed. I was literally crying in my kitchen saying "I want to quit! Why did I ever decide to do this?" My husband looked at me in my eyes and said "Quitting is not an option." He said "Remember the children with autism that need scholarships and that will need jobs in the future." That visual picture was enough to stop my tears flowing. Now, when I think about quitting, I remember my "why" and quitting hasn't been an option since then.
Who inspires you?
My 9 year old son Marshall inspires me. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. I didn't know if he'd ever speak in sentences or what type of life he would live. As I was trying to make sense of everything and with lots of prayers, a strong support system, patience, great Speech and Occupational Therapists along with The Westview School for Autism, he has mainstreamed into public school and is an Honor Roll student. A child that I thought may not ever speak in sentences warms my heart when he comes home from school and says "So Mom, how was your day at work? What did you do today?" My favorite question from him has been "So Mom, what would happen if you got fired?" I proudly told him "I can't get fired son because I'm the boss." How can I ever say I can't when everyday, he shows me he can and will. He inspires me to do what I do. What do you find most enjoyable about owning your own business? I am free to be as creative as I want to be! I didn't realize how my creativity was being forced into a box while I was in Corporate America. Owning my own business gives me permission to think as far outside of the box as I choose. My customers never write me up for it. Where can our readers contact you for information on your company, and to order your fantastic pralines? Website: www.OnceUponaPraline.com Like us on Facebook: Once Upon a Praline Follow us on Instagram: Onceuponapraline Follow us on Twitter: @PralineQueens "Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life"- Harvey MacKay **Once Upon a Praline,LLC has graciously donated a giveaway of tasty pralines! Check back often for details on how you can WIN!!**
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Whom do you seek advice from for your business?
I have three wonderful business mentors. Prasad Menon, Founder of Bayou Microfund and is also a Kiva Zip Trustee. He recognized my potential and chose to mentor me while I was a student at University of Houston's Bauer School of Business Microfinance Class in 2013 and I continue to seek his business advice today. As a current student in Capital One Bank's Getting Down to Business Class, I was fortunate to be paired with Richard Stanley who serves as my SCORE Business Mentor. He shares his knowledge from years of experience as a business owner and connects me with many resources that help in growing my business. My Capital One Bank Business Banker, Bency Issac keeps me on track with my financial goals and gets more excited about my business each time I meet with him. Each mentor introduces me to new ways of saving money for my business and increasing revenue. They make valuable suggestions that help shape my business and ensure growth for the future. They recognize my hard work and make sure I remember work/life balance. I am still trying to figure out that piece. |
I am so proud of Lynn, and I know you will continue to soar to wonderful new heights! There is nothing like enjoying what you do, and having a supportive spouse and family along for the journey is icing on the Praline! :) We hope that your story inspires all entrepreneurs to keep working towards greatness! LWR wishes you continued success with your business, and God bless you and your family!
--JC
--JC